Another example of the importance of automation in package delivery.

Amazon is taking autonomous vehicle technology very seriously, being granted a patent for communications between self-driving vehicles and roadway management systems. U.S. Patent 9,547,986 would share trip data from self-driving vehicles on roads that have reversible lanes; these are highway lanes in which vehicles may travel in either direction. Reversible lanes use overhead signals to direct drivers and to improve traffic during heavy congestion. The patented system appears to be directed to vehicles typically driving down highways, but it can apply to “any type of vehicle, including but not limited to cars, trucks, vans, buses, street cars, helicopters, trains, subways, aircrafts, boats, etc., regardless of how powered or driven.” Amazon is staying quiet on its intention in receiving the patent. The patent filing doesn’t include information on how Amazon will use this t...